Sewing apparatus



May 2, 1961 F. H. FRoMM, JR 2,982,238

SEWING APRARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1958 ll Sh ee'cs-Sheet l s I FIC-EJ- INVENTOR.

M Bymlw,

A TTORNEYS.

May 2, 19,61 F. H. FRoMM, JR 2,982,238

SEWING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY @Jy @d A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 F. H. FROMM, JR

SEWING APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

May 2, 1961 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 F. H. FROMM, JR

SEWING APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIC?.

INVENTOR.

13u/@magi ATTORNEYS.

May 2, i951 F. H. FROMM, JR 2,982,238

SEWING APPARATUS v Filed Aug. 28. 1958 l 11 Sheetsrsheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 F. H. FROMM, .JR 2,982,238

SEWING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIGl.

1N V EN TOR.

A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 F. H. FROMM, JR 2,982,238

SEWING APPARATUS Filed Aug 281 1958 1l Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENToR.

BY @da @ad A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 F. H. FROMM, JR

SEWING APPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 F. H. FROMM, JR

SEWING APPARATUS 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 28, 1958 May 2, 1961 F. H. FROMM, JR 2,982,238

SEWING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1958 l1 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTOR.

M@ @al A TTORNE YS.

May 2, 1961 F. H. FRoMM, JR

SEWING APPARATUS Filed Aug, 28I 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet l1 Plaga 0b Flaw 351, (7517,-

BY ga/] @al ATTORNEYS.

United lStates Patent SEWING APPARATUS Frank H. Fromm, Jr., 4215 State Road, Drexel Hill, Pn. Filed Aug. 28, 1958, Ser. No. 757,737 1s claims. (ci. 112-2) This invention relates to apparatus for continuously producing, from textile cloth, paper, plastic or other sheet linings, etc.

My invention has, for'its chief aim, the provision of a relatively simple apparatus which is completely automatic in operation and capable of continuously producing, in succession, completely finished articles of the kind referred to, as well as to deliver them either flat or folded in readiness for packing or further processing.

Briey described, the apparatus comprises a stitching unit by which pre-cut suitably profiled blanks for the articles are sewed; a folding unit; a blanking unit by which blanks for the articles are cut out of sheet material intermittently drawn from a continuous supply and transferred either to the stitching unit or to the folding unit depending upon the kind of articles to be produced; a transfer unit for transferring the stitched articles from the stitching unit to the folding unit, or the folded blanks from the folding unit to the stitching unit; and control means for controlling the actuation of the several units to function in properly timed relation for continuous operation of the apparatus.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of my invention in top plan.

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus in elevation as viewed from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus as viewed from the bottom of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in section of the blanking unit taken as indicated by the angled arrows AIV--IV on Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail section drawn to a larger scale within the boundries of the rectangle V in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows the stitching unit in top plan with portions thereof broken away to expose underlying parts which otherwise would be hidden. g

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the stitching unit looking as indicated by the angled arrows VII- VII in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in section of the stitching unit taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIll--VIII in Fig. 7 and drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in section taken as indi- ICC 2 cated by the angled arrows IX-IX in Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Figs. l0 and 11 are fragmentary views in perspective of a sewing machine embodied in the stitching unit.

' Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in section through part of the folding unit taken as indicatedY by the angled arrows XII-XII in Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 12 showing how a finished article is doubled over by the folding unit. Y

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a part of the folding unit.

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows XV-XV in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a finished article asl produced in the apparatus of Figs. 1-13.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the finished article after it has been doubled over in the folding unit.

Fig. 18 is a diagram of the wiring for various electrical devices used in the control means by which the operation of the various units of the apparatus is timed and controlled. Y

Figs. 19 and 20 are means similar respectively to Figs. l and 2 showing a modied embodiment of the invention. l Fig. 21 is a sectiontaken as indicated by the angled arrows XXI-XXI in Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary'view in top-plan of a modified form of the stitching unit.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section taken as indicated by the angled arrows XXII-XXII in Fig. 22; and

Figs.- 24-31 are successive views showing how an irregularly conigured blank is stitched in the modified unit of Figs. 22 and 23.

With more specific reference first, more particularly to Figs. l-l5 of these illustrations, my improved apparatus as there exemplified includes a blanking unit comprehensively designated 1, a stitching unit comprehensively designated 2, a folding unit comprehensively designated 3, and a transfer unit 5 for transferring the sewed Y articles from the stitching unit to the folding unit, these several units being supported by framing generally designated 6, from a base 7.

Blankng unit The unit 1 comprises a table 9 Whereon is mounted a relatively thick resilient block 10 of tough wood or the equivalent. Upstanding from the table `9 at opposite sides of the block 10 are brackets 11 and i12 which serve as bearings for pairs of transverse nip rolls 13 and 14, by which delinite lengths of sheet material M are drawn from a supply S over the block 10. The shafts of the upper nip roll of the pair 13 and of the lower nip roll of the pair 14 are connected for unison rotation by a sprocket chain 15, and the shaft of the upper roll of the pair 13 is connected by another sprocket chain 16 to a line shaft 17 rotatively supported in spaced bearing Figs. 4 and 5, having a pendent peripheral ange 25, an annular knife 26 immediately inward of said flange and an inset 27 of wire mesh or the like. As best shown in Fig. 2, a press disk 28 is secured to the bottom end of the piston rod 29 of an actuating cylinder 30 supported by the crossbeam 31 of an elevated portion 32 of the frame 6 axially above the suction head 25. Also ail'lxed to the beam 31 is a solenoid operable valve 33 which, through a conduit 34, is in communication with a suitable supply source (not illustrated) of compressed air, and from which pipes 35 and 36 extend respectively to the top and bottom ends of the cylinder 30. From Figs. 2 and 4 it will be noted that the suction head 25 has an integral arm'39 connected to a vertical axis sleeve 40 which is slidably engaged upon a post 41 upstanding from the base 7 and is yieldingly urged upwardly by a spring 42. To the bottom end of the sleeve 40 is affixed a crown gear 43 arranged to be driven through an intermeshing gear pinion 44 by a reversible electric motor 45 mounted on a crossbeam 46 in the lower part of the framing 6. Extending up through the post 41 is a pipe 47 of which the lower end is in communication with a vacuum source and to the top of which is connected one end of a fiexible tube 48, the other end of said tube connecting at 49 into the hollow of the head 25. Inte.- posed in the tube 49 is a valve 50 which is arranged for actuation by an electrical device 51, and surrounding the sleeve 40 somewhat above the crown gear 43 is cam collar 55 upon which rides the roller of the switch 56; an electric timer 57 is also axed to the bottom of the frame 9. From subsequent description it will be seen that the head 25 also serves as a means for transferring blanks successively cut from the material M in the blanking unit 1 to the stitching unit 2. Mounted upon one of the uprights of the superstructure 32 is a switch 58 which is arranged to be operated by the plate 25, as the latter is raised and lowered. The function of this switch will be explained hereinafter. Another switch 59 is arranged to be operated by a lug 15 on the chain 15.

Stitching unit This unit 2 includes a plate 60 (Figs. 6 and 7) having spaced lugs 61 and 62 pendent therefrom along opposite side edges and threadedly engaged by screw spindles 63 and 64 whereof the opposite ends are journaled in fixed bearings 65 and 66 on spaced parallel bars 67 and 68 respectively of the framing 6. For rotation in unison, the spindles 63 and 64 are connected by a sprocket chain 69. The spindle 63 is arranged to be driven through a magnetic clutch 70 by another sprocket chain 71 from a counter shaft 72 (Figs. 1 and 2) having at one end thereof a bevel gear 73 in mesh with a bevel gear 74 on the line shaft. Supported for rotation upon rollers 75 journaled in upstanding lugs 76 on the carriage 60 is a worm gear ring 77 which is aflixed to and surrounds a vertical axis motor 78 whereof the body extends down through a clearance opening 79 in the top of the carriage. Rotary motion is imparted to the worm gear ring by a worm 85 on the short section 86, of a transverse shaft 87, said Worm being in mesh with said gear ring. The shaft sections 86, 87 are rotatvely borne in xed brackets 88, 89 and 90 affixed respectively to the plate 60 and the bar 68 of the framing 6, the section 86 being slidably connected to the section 87 by a coupling collar 91 as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Superposed upon the annulus 80 in coaxial relation is a downwardly dished deector 95 and spaced upwardly from the latter and extending circumferentially beyond it is a larger upwardly dished reflector 96. At the level of the peripheral edge of the deflector 96 is a circular plate 97 which is smaller in diameter and concentric with the axis of the motor 78; and spanning the annular spacebetween the periphery of the deector 96 and the periphery of the plate 97 is an insert 98 of wire mesh or the like. With interposition of spacers 99 and 100, the parts 95, 96

and 97 are secured to the annulus 8 0 by means of screws at suitable points around said annulus, the parts 96, 97 and 98 together constitute a hollow platen 101 to which each blank B cut from the sheet material M is transferred from the blanking mechanism 1 in readiness to be stitched. Ailixed to the top end of the shaft 102 of the motor 78 is a fan 103 having arcuate blades which extend up into an axial clearance opening 104 in the deflector 96 as shown in Fig. 8, the action of the fan being such as to suck air through the screen insert 98 to hold the blank B in place on the platen 1101 during the sewing, and to blow the air outward in the interval between the dellectors and 96 and thereby prevent the overhanging peripheral margin of the blank from sagging during the sewing, the flow of the air being indicated by the arrows. The stitching mechanism 2 further includes a sewing machine 105 which may be of any approved commercial type having a reciprocated thread carrying needle 106, a liftable presser foot 108, and a thread cutter 109. The machine is fixedly supported by the framing 6 laterally adjacent the platen 101 for the blanks B With its work plate at the top level of said platen. The machine 105 is arranged to be driven through a belt connection 114 from a pulley 115 coupled, through a magnetic slip clutch 116, to the countershaft 72. Through a sprocket chain connection 117, the shaft 87 is driven from the shaft of the sewing machine 105. For the purpose of lifting the presser foot y108 and at the same time operating the thread sewing device 109 of the sewing machine 195, I have provided a solenoid which is conventionally indicated at 118 in Figs. 1, 2, 10 and ll. An electric switch 119 (Figs. l and 2) mounted on the plate 60 has its operating stem bearing upwardly upon the bottom of the worm gear 81 and is actuated upon entry of said stem into a notch 120 in said gear. Another electric switch 121 aixed to the frame is arranged to be actuated by engagement therewith by lug 61 as hereinafter set forth.

Folding unit This unit 3 comprises a platen 124 to which the finished articles are transferred from the sewing mechanism, said platen being composed of two hollow semicircular platelike components 125 and 126. As shown, the plate 125 is fixedly supported by the framing 6, and the plate 126 is hingedly connected by pintles 127 so as to be swingable over the plate 125 as in Fig. 13 against the resistance of coiled torsion springs 128 surrounding said pintles. The openings 125g and 12661 in the tops of the plates 125 and 126 are spanned by insets 129 and 130 respectively of wire mesh. At the bottoms, the plates 125 and 126 are provided with nipples 131 and 132 for connection of flexible hoses 133 and 134 (Fig. 2) respectively leading from the suction source hereinbefore referred to, and interposed in said hoses are solenoid operable valves 135 and 136 respectively. The means for swinging the plate 126 includes a toothed gear sector 140 which is concentric with the hinge pintles 127 and is affixed at one end to said plate as at 141 in Fig. 2. The sector is in mesh with a spur pinion 142 on a shaft 143 rotatively borne on the framing 6. Fast upon one end of the shaft 143 is a pulley 145 which, through a belt 146, is connected to a pulley 147 on another countershaft 148 which derives its motion, through a pair of bevel gears 149 and 150, from the line shaft 17. The pulley 147 is normally free on the shaft 148 but is made to rotate therewith when the plate 126 is to be swung about the pintles in folding the finished articles as later on explained, by a magnetic clutch indicated at 151 in Fig. l. Mounted upon the framing 6 is a switch 152 (Fig. 2) which is opened and closed by the plate 126 as the latter is swung from its normal position to folding position. The purpose of this switch will also be explained hereinafter.

'5 Transfer unit i This unit 5, which is relied upon to successively transfer the nished articles from the sewing mechanism 2 to the folding mechanism 3, comprises a circular head 160 which is integrally formedvwith an arm 161 and a vertical axis -fulcrum sleeve 162 for swinging movement about a post 163 rising from the bed 7 between said sewing mechanism and said folding mechanism. From Fig. 9, it will be observed that the head 160 has a pendent peripheral flange spanned by a screen diaphragm 165, and centrally of its top has a port opening 166 into which is litted a valve 167 arranged to be operated by a magnetic actuatorV 168. By means of a iiexible tube 169, the valve 167 is connected to a pipe 170 which extends axially. down through the post and which is in Operation The operation of the apparatus is initiated by pressing a start button shown vat 178 in Fig. 18. As a result a circuit tothe motor 20 is closed and the magnetic clutch 22 is actuated to rotate the line shaft 17. Through the chains and 16 the feed rolls 13 and 14 of the blanking unit 1 are driven to draw `a length of the sheet material M over the surface of the block 10 as in Fig. 1. When sufficient of the material M has been so advanced, the switch 59 is actuated by the lug 15 on the chain .15 with consequent release of the clutch 22 and cessation in the movement of the material progressing means. Upon actuation of the switch 59 as just explained, a cir- 'cuit is closed to the solenoid of the air valve 33 which thus opens to admit compressed air into the top of the cylinder 30 to depress the cutting vhead 24 andl thereby cause a blank B to be cut from the material M arrested on the block 10. Also upon actuation ofthe switch 59, a circuit is closed to the solenoid of a valve 50 causing said valve to open and the cut blank B to cling to the under surface of the cutting head 24 by suction act1on. As the cutting head 24 completes Vits descent the switch 58 is actuated to break the circuit to the solenoid of the valve 33 -whereby the latter is set for admission of compressed airinto the bottom of the cylinder 30 and return the head 24 to its original elevated position with the cut blank B clinging thereto, with spring 42 (Fig. 2) assisting in this action. As the cutting head 24 reaches its raised position, the switch 53 is actuated to close a circuit to the electric motor 45 which is thereupon rotated in the proper direction to swing the head 24, with the clinging blank B, about the post 41 from over the cutting block 10 of the blanking unit 1 to position directly over the platen 101 of the stitchingV unit 2. As the head 24 is thus swung, a switch 56 is actuated by 4a cam 55 on the sleeve 40 of said head to break the circuit 4to the motor 45 which then stops. At the same time, the circuit to the `solenoid of the valve 50 is broken, said valve being thereby closed to break the vacuum for release of the blank B from the head 24 to dropfonto the platen 101 of the stitching unit 2. By the same actuation of the switch 56 a circuit to the motor I8 is closed upon placement of the blank B upon the platen 101 of the stitching unit, the motor being thereby started to drive the fan 103 whereupon the blank B is held to the platen 101 by suction and the overhanging peripheral margin thereof is sustained against lsagging by pressurized air in a manner previously explained. By the above mentioned operaupon the platform 101.

the timer 57 bywhich a slight delay period is deter.- mined before the next actuation of the cutting head 24 of the blanking unit 1 and suiiicient time is provided to insure that the blank B is effectively held by the suction Upon expiration of this delay interval, the timer 57 functions to reverse the circuit to the motor 45 which is thereupon oppositely rotated to swing the cutting head -24 about the post 4'1 back to its original position over the block l0 of the blanking unit, said head remaining dormant in this position until `the completion of a sewing cycle of the unit about to be described. By further operation of the timer 57,`a circuit is closed to energize the magnetic clutch 70 whereupon the sprocket chain 69 is set into motion to rotate the screw spindles 63 and 64 for shifting of the carriage and presentation of the projecting edge margin of thev blank B supported onlthe platen 101 to the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine 105. As the platen 101V reaches sewing position, the switch 121 is automatically operated to break the circuit to the magnetic clutch 70 and also close a circuit to the solenoid 118 for descent of the presser foot 10S of the sewing machine and opening of the thread severing device 109. The platen 101 ,is thus stopped in the proper position relative to the sewing machine 105 and Vat the same time, the magnetic clutch 116 is operated by switch 121 to operate the belt 114 and sprocket fan connection 117 to drive the sewing machine and the worm gearing 81, 85 to rotate the platen 101 for stitching of the proled blank B by the sewing machine. When the platen 101 has been turned to the extent required for the sewing, .the switch 119 is automatically actuated to break the circuit to the magnetic clutch 116 and thereby cause the Vsewing machine and rotation of the platen to be stopped. Also, by this actuation of the kswitch 119, the solenoid 113 is energized to raise the presser foot 1013 of the sewing machine as in Fig. ll and at the same time, cause the portion of the sewing thread extending from the now stitched article A, to be severed by the severing device 109; Furthermore, by the last described actuation o-fthe switch 119 the circuit to the clutch 70 is closed with attendant operation of the chain 69 to reversely drive screw Aspindles 63, 64 by which the platen 101 is bodily retracted to its original position. Upon-retraction of the platen 101, the switch 121 is automatically actuated to break the circuit to the motor 78 whereby rotation of the fan 103 is stopped and the sewed article A is relieved from both suction and pressure influence for ready removal from the stitching unit 2. Also, upon retraction of the platen 101, the switch 121 is automatically actuated to close a circuit to the motor 173 by which the transfer head is swung about the post 163 from normal rest position, to position directly over the platen 101 of the stitching unit2. As the transfer head 160 reaches its new position, the switch is automatically actuated to close a circuit to the solenoid of the valve 167. As a consequence of the suction thus set up, the sewed article A is lifted from the platen ofthe stitching unit 2 and caused to cling to the bottom face of the transfer head 160. Actuation of the switch 175 also results in the re-setting of the switch 56 for repetition of the operating cycles of the blanking and stitching units 1 and 2 in succession as before. Further, by actuation of the switch 175 a circuit to the motor of the timer 176 is closed, whereupon the timer allows a slight delay for operation of the folding unit 3. At the expiration of the required time interval, the timer 176 closes a circuit to the motor 173 which is then driven in the proper direction to swing the trans- -fer head 160 about the post 163 into position directly over the platform 124 of the folding unit 3. Upon arrival of the head 160 in this position the switch 175 is `automatically actuated to break the circuit to the motor v 173 by the cam 177 on the sleeve 162 of said head. As a-consequence, the circuit to the solenoid of the valve tion of the switch 56 a circuitis closed to the motor of '(5 167 is opened to intercept the vacuum for release of the sewed article A by the head 160 of the transfer unit 5 to drop onto the platen 124 of the folding unit 3. Also, by operation of the switch 175 a circuit is closed to the solenoids of the valves 135 and 136 to open the latter and thereby cause the sewed article to cling to the platen 124 suction action. The switch 175 morever, influences the timer 176 to cause a slight delay to insure that the sewed article is lirmly held in place on the platen during `the folding thereof which ensues. At theend of this delay period, a circuit is closed to the clutch 151 for rotation of drive 146 in thev proper direction to cause the component 126 of the platen to be swung over component 125 and thereby fold the article A. During the folding the springs 128 are torsioned for return of the component 126 to its normal position after the folding has been accomplished. As the component 126 of the platen is swung to folding position, the switch 152 is automatically actuated to break the circuit to the magnetic clutch 151 so that the component 126 can be swung back to its original position by the springs 128. Upon full retraction of the component 126, the switch 152 is again actuated to reestablish the circuits to the solenoids of the valves 135 and 136 which will thus be closed and break the vacuum to the components L125 and 126. The folded article A is thus released for ready removal from the folding unit. When necessary or desired, the apparatus can be stopped at any time simply by pressing the stop button indicated at 179 in Fig. 18.

Except as presently pointed out, the alternative apparatus illustrated in Figs. 19-21 is identical in construction with that shown in Figs. l-l and therefore, in order to dispense with the necessity for repetitive description, the constituent elements having their counterparts in the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numbers previously employed, with addition however, in each instance, of the letter a for convenience of more ready distinction. In the alternative embodiment, the cutting head 24a of the blanking unit 1a, the platen 101a of the stitching unit 2a, the platen 124a of the folding unit 3a and the head 16061 of the transferring unit 5a, are all polygonal in configuration instead of being round as in the first case. The only other change is in the construction of the stitching unit 2a of which the fan driving motor 78a is the platen lilla and associated parts are mounted 0n a shiftable plate-like support Sila. As shown, the supper 80a is provided perimetrically of its bottom with balls `82a that bear on the carriage 60a, which is movable toward and away from the sewing machine ltlSa by means of screw spindles 63a and 64a, and which has a clearance opening through which the body of a fan motor 78a depends as best seen in Fig. 2l. Immediately inward of the balls the support Sila has perimetric recession in the bottom thereof, the outer edge of said recession being formed with rack teeth Sla. A vertical shaft `86a rotative in a bearing on the carriage 60a has a spur pinion 85a affixed to its upper end in mesh with the internal rack teeth 81a of the support 80a. A sprocket 180 at the bottom end of the shaft 86a is connected by a belt 181 to a sprocket on the output shaft 182 of a variable speed reduction gear transmission 183 mounted on a crossbeam 184 of the frame 6a. As shown, the input shaft 185 of the transmission 183 is arranged to be driven through a chain from a sprocket which in turn is coupled by a magnetic clutch 194 to the countershaft 72a.

A series of rolls 137 journaled in channel bars 188 along two adjacent side edges of the carriage 60a, serve to constrain and guide the platen support 80a as the latter is moved about during the stitching of the blank. As another innovation, the deflector 95a has, as instanced in Fig. 2l, a section 189 at each corner capable of adjustment about an upstanding lug 190 for regulating the flow of air directed through the interval 192, the adjustment being effected by means of a screw 192 in opposition to` a coiledA springA 193; By this arrangement, it is possible to increase the flow of the air through the corresponding portions of the interval 191 to insure that the projecting margin of the blank B is prevented from sagging at the corners during the stitching. lt is to be understood that the alternative apparatus operates in exactly the same way as the first described embodiment, the only difference being that after the platen support a has been shifted toward the sewing machine 135e, it is moved about by co-action of the spur pinion a with the rack teeth 31a in such manner that the overhanging edge of a blank B placed upon said platen and held thereto by suction, is presented to the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine.

The blanking, stitching and folding units in either of the two aforedescribed embodiments may be arranged otherwise than shown. For example, the folding unit may be placed between the blanking unit and the stitching unit so that the blanks will be folded before being stitched and the transfer unit utilized to remove the folded and sewed articles from said stitching unit. Morebver, if desired, another transfer unit may be added to either of the illustrated embodiments for removing the finished articles from the folding unit and piling them for packing.

In the modification of Figs. 22 and 23, the fan motor 78h, together with the platen llllb and associated parts, are mounted directly upon the top of a support in the form of a plate Stlb. Here, the platen 161b is shaped to correspond in configuration with an irregularly profiled blank B2 to be to be stitched. As shown in Fig. 23, the platen support Sllb has a pendent peripheral flange with socketed balls 75b to bear upon the flat top surface of the carriage 601;, the inner edge of said flange being configured like the platen 10b, to correspond to the shape of the blank B2 and being provided with rack teeth 77b. The shaft 86b extends up through a bearing on the carriage 60b, and affixed to the top thereof is a spur pinion 85h with which the rack teeth 77b of the platen support Sb are meshed. The partly illustrated mechanism for driving the shaft 86b is identical with that by which the shaft 86a of the alternative embodiment of Figs. 19 and 20 is driven. After the carriage 6llb is shifted by actuation of the screw spindles 63b, 64b to bring the projecting edge margin of the blank B2 on the platen 101b into the province of the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine 105b, the shaft 86b is started in rotation in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 22. By co-action of the pinion 8511 with the internal rack teeth 77b of the platen support 80h, the latter is moved about on the carriage 60b from the starting position in which it is shown in Fig. 22 in such manner that the overhanging edge margin of the blank B2 on the platen 101b is continuously advanced beneath the needle of the sewing machine 1tl5b and thereby stitched. In order to steady the platen support S011 in its movement about the pinion 85h during the stitching, said support is provided in its bottom with a groove 200 which parallels the toothed rack 77b and which is engaged by the protruding upper end of the shaft 86b as best seen in Fig. 23. The progress of the stitching as the marginal edge blank B2 is presented to the needle of the sewing machine incident to successive changes in the position of the platen 101b is indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 24-31. As will be readily apparent from Fig. 23, the platen support slib, motor 78h and the platen 1Mb can be lifted as a unit from the carriage 'lb and replaced by others of identical construction except for the shaping of the platens and the toothed racks of the platen supports to accord with the configuration of the blanks to be stitched. By such substitutions, it is possible, with the stitching unit organized as in Figs. 22 and 23, to operate not only upon irregularly profiled blanks, but upon circular or oval blanks as well as upon square, oblong or otherwise polygonally shaped blanks. Obviously, blanks of such different shapes may be had by using, in

association with the stitching unit of Figs. 22 and 23, a blanking unit of the same general construction as hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiments of Figs. l-3 and 19, 2O by substitution of correspondingly congured cutting knives.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best forms of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus described without departing from the spirit'and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims, and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of different shapes from sheet material, a stitching unit comprising a platen, a `sewing machine, and means for moving the platen and the sewing machine relatively to stitch a pre-cut profiled blank of sheet material while supported on the platen; a blanking unit comprising a block of tough resilient material, means for intermittently advancing sheet material over the block from a supply, a hollow `head having a reticulate bottom and a knife edge, means for moving the head from an elevated position into cooperation with the block to cut a blank from the sheet while the latter is arrested and for then raising the head, means for evacuating to the head after it is lowered to cause the blank to cling thereto, means for swinging the head after it is raised from over the block to a position over the platen of the stitching unit, and subsequently back to its original position, and means for breaking the vacuum when the head is'in position over the platen of the stitching mechanism for release of the blank to-drop onto said platen; and mechanism for thereafter starting the stitching unit into operation to 'stitch the blank.

2. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of different shapes from sheet material, a stitching unit com.

prising a sewing machine, a hollow platen for supporting a profiled blank pre-cut from sheet material, said platen havinga solid, at reticulate top face and an opening in its bottom, arot'ary centrifugal fan with blades extending up into the opening in the bottom of the platen, a motor for driving the fan, an upwardly deflecting baffle 4surrounding the fan beneath the platen whereby, through Y rotation of the fan, air is sucked through thereticulate Yarea of the platen to hold the blank in position during4 the stitching and air is at the same time blown outwardly beneath the platen and deflected upwardly to prevent sagging of a peripheral margin of the blank projecting beyond the platen, shifting the platen relative to the sewing machine to bring the projecting margin of the blank into the province of the stitching instrumentalities of the machine, a motor with interposed gear connections for moving the platen during the stitching, mechanism operative upon placement of a blank upon the platen of the stitching unit to start the fan motor, the sewing machine and the platen movingmotor, and then after the stitching is accomplished stopping the sewing machine and the two motors, with attendantrelease of the stitched article Kfor removal from said platen; and a blanking unit having means Vfor intermittently advancing continuous `sheet material from a supply source, and means for cutting individual blanks from-the sheetmaterial and transferring the blanks individually to the platen of the stitching unit.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the blanking unit has a cutting element with a cutting edge to cut polygonal blanks from the sheet material; wherein the platen of the stitching unit is correspondingly configured; and wherein the air deflecting baffle associated with the` platen of the stitching unit is adjustable for increase of air discharge at corners and insuranceagainst sagging of the projecting margins of the blank corners.

4. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of different shapes from sheet material, a single stitching unit for stitching profiled blanks pre-cut from the sheet material; a blanking unit stationed adjacent one side of the stitching unit for cutting the blanks from sheet material intermittently advanced from a supply and for transferring the blanks to the stitching unit; means stationed adjacent the' opposite side of the stitching unit for removing the stitched articles successively from the stitching unit; and a folding unit to which the stitched articles are transferred by the removing means, said folding unit comprising a platen formed by at least two hollow components respectively having reticulate top faces onto which the stitched articles are released by the transfer means, one

component being fixed and the other component hingedlyy connected, means for swinging the hinged component of the platen over the Vfixed component of the platen to 'effect the folding, a iexible tube in communication with a.

means operative to open the valve for evacuation of the components upon transfer of a stitched article to the platen to cause the articles to cling to said components as the hinged component is swung over the fixed component, and for closing the valve to release the folded article preparatory to retraction of the hinged component.

5. The invention according to claim ,1, further including a folding unit for folding the articles stitched in the stitching unit, said folding unit having a platen comprising at least two inter-pivoted sections and means for swinging one such section over the other to effect the folding; and transfer means comprising a suction head for transferring the stitched article successively from the stitching unit to the folding unit, means for lowering the transfer head onto the stitched article on the platen of the stitching unit and evacuating the transfer head, then raising the transfer head with the article clinging to it and swinging the transfer head laterally to a position over the platen of lthe folding unit, then lower-ing the transfer head and breaking the vacuum for release of the article onto the piaten of the folding unit, and finally raising the transfer head and swinging it 'back to its original position.

6. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of sheet material, a stitching unit comprising a sewing machine, a hollow platen for supporting a profiled blank pre-cut from the sheet material, said platen having'a reticulate top, means for drawing air down through the reticulate area of the platen to hold the blank in position during the stitching and at the same time blowing air upwardly about the periphery of the platen to prevent sagging of a margin of the blank projecting beyond the platen, means for moving the platen and the sewing machine relatively to bring the projecting margin of the blank into the province of the stitching elements of the machine; and means automatically operative at each actuation upon placement of a blank upon the platen to start the means by which the platen and the machine are moved relatively and the air drawing and blowing means, and to subsequently stop the means for relatively moving the platen and machine and said air drawing and blowing means after the stitching of the article is accomplished,

' 7. The invention according to claim 6, further includ ing a following unit operative at each actuation to fold the articles stitched in the stitching unit; and means for transferring the articles successively from the stitching unit to the folding unit.

8. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of sheet material, a stitching unit comprising a stationarily supported sewing machine, a hollow platen for supporting a profiled blank pre-cut from Ythe sheet material, said platen having a reticulate top,-means for drawing air down beyond the platen, means for moving the platen relative to the sewing machine to bring the projecting margin of the blank into the province of the stitching elements of the machine, said platen moving means including a support on which the platen is mounted and said support having a profile corresponding to that of the blank, a carriage having a flat top surface for sustaining the support, a rotary actuating shaft extending up through the support, means for shifting the carriage on the support to bring the projecting margin of the blank into the province of the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine, means operative to rotate the shaft and means on the shaft for moving the platen through a complete turn on the carriage for linear advance of the projecting edge margin of the blank incident to presentation to the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine.

9. In apparatus for producing stitched articles of sheet material and the like, a stitching unit comprising a sewing machine, a hollow platen for supporting a profiled blank pre-cut from the sheet material, said platen having a reticulate top; means for drawing air down through the reticulate top of the platen to hold the blank in position during the stitching and at the same time blowing air upwardly about the periphery of the platen to prevent sagging of the margin of the blank projecting beyond the platen, and means for moving the platen and the sewing machine relatively to bring the projecting margin or" the blank into the province of the stitching elements of the machine; means automatically operative to deposit the blank upon the platen and for subsequently removing it after it is stitched; and means operated from said depositing and removing means by which the platen and the machine are moved relatively and the air drawing and blowing means lis started upon deposit of the blank, and by which said platen rotating means and said air drawing and blowing means are stopped after the stitching of the blank is accomplished.

10. Automatic apparatus for successively cutting blanks from sheet material, then perimetrically stitching the individually cut blanks successively and finally folding the stitched articles successively, said apparatus comprising a blanking unit having a table over which the sheet material is intermittently advanced, and a cutting element and actuating means therefor operative at each actuation to cut a blank from the material; a stitching unit having a platen for supporting the blank with a margin thereof projecting, and a sewing machine and actuating means therefor operative at each actuation to stitch the projecting margin of the blank; a folding unit having a platen with inter-pivoted sections and actuating means therefor operative at each actuation to fold the sewed article; means and actuating means therefor operative at each actuation for moving the cutting element of the blanking unit to deposit the blank upon the platen of the stitching unit; transfer means and actuating means therefor operative at each actuation to remove the article after being sewed from the platen of the stitching unit and to deposit it upon the platen of the folding unit; and control means for controlling the functioning of the blanking unit, the transfer means, the stitching unit, and the folding unit in the order named.

11. Apparatus for successively cutting individual blanks from sheet material, then perimetrically stitching the individually cut blanks successively and finally folding the. stitched articles successively, said apparatus comprising a blanking unit for cutting the blanks from the sheet material, and a stitching unit for sewing blanks successively transferred thereto from the blanking unit, said blanking unit comprising means for intermittently advancing the strip material across the table, a hollow cutter head and means for lowering it to cut a blank from the sheet then raising it, means for evacuating the head to cause the blank to adhere to it and means for swinging the cutter head laterally to bring it over the stitching unit, then lowering it and incidentally relieving the suction to release the cut blank and then again raising it and swinging it back to its original position over the table; said stitching unit comprising a stationarily supported sewing machine, a hollow platen with a reticulate top adapted to receive the blank with a margin thereof projecting, means for drawing air through the reticulate top of the platen to cause the deposited blank to cling to the platen and for blowing air upwardly around the blank at the same time to prevent the margin thereof from sagging, and a stationariiy supported sewing machine, means for moving the platen for presentation of the projecting margin of the blank to the stitching instrumentalities of the machine and means for thereafter stopping the sewing machine and the air drawingl and blowing means to release the sewed articles from the platen; and control means for determining the operation of the blanking unit and the stitching unit in succession.

12. The invention according to claim 1l, further including a folding unit comprising a platen formed by at least two inter-pivoted sections and means for swinging one of such sections over the other to double over the stitched articles successively transferred thereto from the stitching unit; a transfer means for transferring the stitched articles from the stitching unit to the folding unit, said transfer means comprising a hollow head, means for lowering the transfer head to take the stitched article from the stitching unit, raising it and swinging it laterally over the folding unit, then lowering it to deposit the sewed article upon the platen of the folding unit and finally raising it and swinging it back to its original position, and means for evacuating the transfer head to cause the article to cling to it during transfer from the stitching unit to the folding unit and to relieve the suction for release of the article onto the platen of the folding unit in timed relation with the blanking and stitching unit.

13. Automatic apparatus for successively cutting blanks from continuous strip material comprising a table; means by which the sheet material is intermittently advanced over the table; a hollow cutter head; means operative at each actuation to lower the head to cut a blank from the material during each dwell of the strip, then raising the head and swinging it laterally outward from over the table and finally swinging it back to its original position; and means operative, upon lowering the head, to evacuate it and thereby cause the cut blank to cling to it, and operavtive upon swinging the head laterally outward to break the vacuum for release of the blank.

14. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the platen support is provided at the bottom with a toothed rack and a guide groove which parallels the toothed rack, and wherein the top end of the vertical shaft protrudes above the spur pinion and extends into said groove.

l5. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the platen and its support can be bodily lifted as a unit from the carriage and replaced by similar individual units of which the platens and toothed racks of the supports are differently configured to correspond with the profiles of differently profiled blanks to be stitched.

16. In apparatus for producing edge-stitched articles of different shapes from sheet material, a single stitching unit comprising a sewing machine, a platen for supporting a profiled blank pre-cut from the sheet material, said platen being smaller in area than that of the blank for projection therebeyond of a perimetric margin of the blank, means for causing the blank to cling to the platen duringr the sewing and at the same time preventing the projecting margin of the blank from sagging incident to presentation to the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine; and means for moving the sewing machine and the platen relatively during the stitching.

17. The invention, according to claim 16, for producing circular edge-stitched articles from sheet material, wherein the sewing machine is stationarily supported;

wherein the platen is supported adjacent the sewing machine and rotated to present the projecting margin of the blank to the stitching instrumentalities of the machine.

18. The invenion, according to claim 16, for producing irregularly shaped edge-stitched articles from sheet material; wherein the sewing machine is stationarily supported; wherein the platen is supported adjacent the sewing machine; and wherein there is Va means for moving the platen so that the edge margin of the blank is progressively presented to the stitching instrumentalities of the sewing machine;

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams Sept. 14, 1897 Schremp Jan. 31, 1928 McDonald. Ian. 3, 1939 Tillett et al. .lune 28, 1949 Phillips July 3, 1951 Hadeld Nov. 16, 1954 Pfeie Dec. 13, 1955 Beck Jan. 15, 1957 Abel Oct. 21, 1958 Abel Dec. 9, 1958 

